10 reasons why you should retrofit

Richard Erskine, Secretary of NailsworthCAN, shared the top ten tips we have learned about in our research on retrofit:

1. It will make your house more comfortable to live in

2. It will cut your heating bills

3. It will cut your cooling bills

4. At the moment it is likely to give a much better return on capital (typically 5-10% p.a.) than most other investments

5. It will make your house easier to sell

6. Future generations can live in a more comfortable house

7. It is your contribution to slowing climate change

8. It is creates skilled local jobs

9. It is your contribution to kick starting the post pandemic local economy

10. It helps the UK’s shift to a carbon zero economy

(Thanks to Simon Pickering, Co-Chair, GFirst Energy Group for his input on these points).

What are you interested in?

Click on a technology for videos, tips and links to companies and organisations that can help.

General retrofit tips

1. Whenever planning changes to your home think about how to incorporate retrofit measures.

2. Phasing the work will help manage costs:

   • when repainting doors and windows, look to reduce draughts;

   • when a new kitchen is fitted, look at wall/floor insulation;

   • when an old gas boiler is at end of life, install an air-source heat pump;

   • when a bathroom is refitted, install mechanical ventilation and heat recovery.

3. Using natural materials will reduce the environmental impact.

4. Seek advice from architects and specialists in retrofit. Energy Saving Trust, Severn Wye Energy Agency, the Association of Environmentally Conscious Builders, provide useful resources. The PAS 2035 standard for Retrofit Assessors will be increasingly important.